Effects of Hyperthyroidism on Creatine Levels

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JOSEPH PRITCHARD Last Updated: Sep 11, 2017

Joseph Pritchard

Joseph Pritchard graduated from Our Lady of Fatima Medical School with a medical degree. He has spent almost a decade studying humanity. Dr. Pritchard writes as a San Francisco biology expert for a prominent website and thoroughly enjoys sharing the knowledge he has accumulated.

Throughout the course of the day, as your body moves, it uses up energy from the food and drink that you’ve consumed. This would not be possible without creatine, an important amino acid that plays a critical role in providing fuel for your body’s individual cells, especially your muscles. Creatine levels, however, can be affected by various factors, such as your diet and lifestyle. Some diseases, such as hyperthyroidism, can also cause significant changes in your creatine levels.

What is Creatine?

Creatine is one of the several different types of amino acids that animals produce. In the human body, this building block of protein is synthesized within the pancreas, liver and kidney. Around 95 percent of your body’s creatine is stored within skeletal muscles, where it is converted into creatine phosphate or phosphocreatine and used as a fuel source for muscular activity. During high-intensity exercises, such as power-lifting and high jumping, phosphocreatine turns into adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, one of the body’s major energy sources.

What is Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is a disorder of the thyroid gland. This disease causes the gland to produce an excessive amount of thyroid hormone. This can potentially cause serious health problems. Although the thyroid hormone is not strictly essential for life, it is nonetheless involved in several critical body functions such as breathing, brain development, body temperature maintenance, cardiovascular and nervous system function, weight control and metabolism.

Creatine Levels and Hyperthyroidism

Your baseline creatine level is determined by age, gender, ethnic background, lean body mass and physical activity. Medical research has revealed, however, that creatine levels are also inversely related with activity of the thyroid hormone. A study from Indian researchers published in the 2007 first quarter issue of the “Journal of Medical Education and Research” found that patients with hyperthyroidism, or high thyroid activity, produced significantly lower amounts of creatine than normal. The reverse held true for patients with hypothyroidism, or low thyroid activity – these individuals had much higher levels of creatine.

Sources of Creatine

Low creatine levels can be boosted by consuming natural dietary sources or supplements that contain this amino acid. Approximately half of the creatine in your body is naturally produced by your kidney, liver and pancreas, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes. Foods high in creatine include lean red meat and fish such as herring, salmon and tuna; wild game is among the richest sources of creatine. Supplements are widely available in various forms such as capsules, powders, tablets, energy bars and drink mixes. Talk to your doctor before using any creative supplements.